SMSL DO100 PRO vs SMSL RAW-MDA1
The SMSL DO100 PRO and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 score the same, 8.0 each, at about the same price. Going by the two reviews, the DO100 PRO is stronger on connectivity and the RAW-MDA1 on tonal balance.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
Too close to call The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 tie at 8.0 and cost about the same, so neither is the obvious buy. Pick the DO100 PRO for connectivity and the RAW-MDA1 for tonal balance.
When to choose the DO100 PRO or the RAW-MDA1The short version
The SMSL DO100 PRO scores 8.0/10 (Recommended) and the SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0/10 (Recommended). The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 cost about the same ($219 against $239). On tonal balance, the RAW-MDA1 review notes "Warmer-than-typical ESS tonality with forward midrange" and the DO100 PRO review "Tonality leans slightly analytical". The DO100 PRO has the edge over the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity: "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better" against "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES". On score and price there is nothing to separate the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1, so the choice comes down to sound and fit.
In the reviewer's words
The RAW-MDA1 review mentions the DO100 PRO in passing, verbatim below.
While it looks almost identical to one on, for example, the DO100 PRO - it's designed with a bit more finesse.
Which one to buy
Score and price don't separate them, so choose the DO100 PRO for connectivity and the RAW-MDA1 for tonal balance.
| At a glance | SMSL DO100 PRO | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.0/10, Recommended | 8.0/10, Recommended |
| List price | $219 | $239 |
| Lowest tracked US price | not tracked at US stores | $251.99 at Apos Audio on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | connectivity | tonal balance |
| Less suited to | tonal balance | connectivity |
SMSL DO100 PRO
Choose it if:
- You care more about the DO100 PRO's connectivity than the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance.
Not ideal if:
- You need the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance more than the DO100 PRO's connectivity.
SMSL RAW-MDA1
Choose it if:
- You care more about the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance than the DO100 PRO's connectivity.
Not ideal if:
- You need the DO100 PRO's connectivity more than the RAW-MDA1's tonal balance.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | SMSL DO100 PRO | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| Technical performance | 7.7 | 8.0 |
| Build & comfort | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| System fit | 8.5 | 8.1 |
| Value | 8.2 | 7.8 |
The widest gap is system fit: 8.5 for the DO100 PRO against 8.1 for the RAW-MDA1. The DO100 PRO column is worked out from its review's 13 pros and cons and the RAW-MDA1 column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.0 and 8.0. How a score is built
Where they differ
Three topics the DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the DO100 PRO
Only the RAW-MDA1
Tonal balance
Here the RAW-MDA1 review is the more positive of the two and the DO100 PRO review finds fault:
- RAW-MDA1, praised: "Warmer-than-typical ESS tonality with forward midrange"
- DO100 PRO, criticized: "Tonality leans slightly analytical"
Inputs and outputs
Here the DO100 PRO review is the more positive of the two and the RAW-MDA1 review has reservations:
- DO100 PRO, praised: "Balanced internally - XLR output sounds slightly better"
- RAW-MDA1, criticized: "Doubled coax/optical inputs instead of BNC or AES"
Build and controls
The DO100 PRO review and the RAW-MDA1 review both have something to say here, and the RAW-MDA1 review compares the two on it directly, quoted above:
- DO100 PRO, criticized: "Slight wobble in the (digitally stepped) plastic knob"
- RAW-MDA1, praised: "More premium feel than other SMSL DACs in the price range"
Only the DO100 PRO review faults its detail and soundstage; only the RAW-MDA1 review praises its measured noise but faults its bass and treble and is mixed on its system matching.
What they have in common
The DO100 PRO is a DAC and the RAW-MDA1 a DAC/amp, both from SMSL, and both have a USB input, an optical input, a coaxial input, Bluetooth, RCA outputs, balanced XLR outputs, and a front display. The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 are both praised for their features and circuit design.
Sound signature, overlaid
On presentation, the DO100 PRO sounds analytical while the RAW-MDA1 stays near neutral. Neither the DO100 PRO nor the RAW-MDA1 leans either way on tonal balance.
On paper
The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 share #4 of the 8 DACs reviewed here; on value the DO100 PRO rates Strong and the RAW-MDA1 Fair. The DO100 PRO lists 5 inputs and 2 outputs; the RAW-MDA1 lists 4 and 4. Inside, the DO100 PRO uses Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS and the RAW-MDA1 Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316.
The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 figures are the makers' own; AES17 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | SMSL DO100 PRO | SMSL RAW-MDA1 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Dual ESS DAC + 6× OPA1612, XMOS - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA | Dual ES9039Q2M (dual-mono) + 6× OPA1612A + XMOS XU-316 - PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512, MQA |
| Inputs | USB-C, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical, Coaxial | USB-C, 2× Coaxial, 2× Optical, Bluetooth (LDAC / aptX / AAC / SBC) |
| Outputs | RCA, Balanced XLR | Balanced XLR, RCA, 4.4 mm (HP), 6.35 mm (HP) |
Only the DO100 PRO review lists weight; only the RAW-MDA1 review lists power output, dynamic range / THD+N, and output level.
How these verdicts were reached
The DO100 PRO review was published on Jun 9, 2024 and the RAW-MDA1 review on Dec 11, 2024, 6 months later, on one reference chain and rubric. The RAW-MDA1 review mentions the DO100 PRO in passing, quoted above. The DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1 reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1: what both reviews say about balanced connections.
Questions about the DO100 PRO and RAW-MDA1
What is the difference between the SMSL DO100 PRO and the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
The DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 tie on score at 8.0. The DO100 PRO does better on connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 on tonal balance.
Which should you buy, the SMSL DO100 PRO or the SMSL RAW-MDA1?
It depends on what you want: the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 tie at 8.0 and cost about the same, so the topic-by-topic differences above decide it.
How do the DO100 PRO and the RAW-MDA1 differ in tonal balance?
The RAW-MDA1: its review is positive about tonal balance, while the DO100 PRO review is critical.
Which has the better inputs and outputs, the DO100 PRO or the RAW-MDA1?
The DO100 PRO, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on connectivity, the DO100 PRO's less so than the RAW-MDA1's.
Where they rank
In Best DACs the RAW-MDA1 ranks #4 and the DO100 PRO #5.
RAW-MDA1 #4 DO100 PRO #5 8 picks